Not too bad, but I think this page could use a little more info...
I added a few things that I came across
Cyclops Myth Spurred by "One-Eyed" Fossils?
Hillary Mayell
for National Geographic NewsFebruary 5, 2003Ever wonder where our worst nightmares come from? For the ancient Greeks, it may have been the fossils of giant prehistoric animals.
The tusk, several teeth, and some bones of aDeinotherium giganteum, which, loosely translated means really huge terrible beast, have been found on the Greek island Crete. A distant relative to today's elephants, the giant mammal stood 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall at the shoulder, and had tusks that were 4.5 feet (1.3 meters) long. It was one of the largest mammals ever to walk the face of the Earth. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0205_030205_cyclops.html
Fossils and Ancient Art
While the discovery and assembly of complete prehistoric fossils is a fairly recent phenomenon (circa 19th century), historic and ancient art around the world and across the ages depicts (and in some cases, misinterprets) the existence of dinosaurs and other creatures
China
Chinese stories and stylized dragon depictions are fairly common. But an unusual beaked dragon statue came up on the antiquities market and is now in the Genesis Park collection. The bronze styling on this artifact suggests it is from the Zhou Dynasty (1122 B.C. – 220 B.C.) or possibly from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). It displays numerous characteristics of the beaked dinosaurs (like the Oviraptor depicted alongside for comparison): tridactyl feet configuration, metatarsal stance, scale-like representation all over the body (except for the horn which has a striated pattern), long (albeit slender) tail, elaborate head crest and a long neck. In 2011 this piece was submitted for X-Ray authentication by Vance Nelson and the artifact was clearly shown to be genuine. A beautifully preserved beaked dinosaur mummy (Edmontosaurus)was discovered in Alberta, Canada in 2013. The specimen sported a fleshy crest atop its head (like a rooster). Researchers theorized that the hat-like ornament was brightly colored to allow for identification. This was the first non-bony crest discovered on a dinosaur. It closely matches the look of the Chinese beaked dragon.
Oviraptor
Beaked Dragon X-Ray
Beaked Dragon
Southeast Asia
Deep in the jungles of Cambodia are ornate temples and palaces from the Khmer civilization. One such temple, Ta Prohm, abounds with stone statues and reliefs. Almost every square inch of the gray sandstone is covered with ornate, detailed carvings. These depict familiar animals like monkeys, deer, water buffalo, parrots, and lizards. However, one column contains an intricate carving of a stegosaur-like creature. Western science only began assembling dinosaurs skeletons in the past two centuries, but perhaps other cultures discovered dinosaur bones and fossils, creating their own interpretations of the creature that left the bones behind.
Ta Prohm Stegasaurus
South America
Another unexpected place where we find “ancient dinosaur art” is on the ancient Ica Stones that were discovered in Peru. These stones were originally found by the Spanish in 1535, and Spanish explorers sent some of these stones back to Spain in 1562. The art on many of these stones is extremely beautiful, and some of them appear to contain clear depictions of dinosaurs.
Ica Stone
Here is another example. If you look closely at this one, you can see what very much looks like a Triceratops.
Ica Stones Dinosaurs
Below are featured more stone carvings of dinosaur-like creatures, perhaps the most interesting being in the middle. It controversially depicts the (not so peaceful) coexistence of a dinosaurian creature and a human.
This Peruvian tomb cloth depicts red, reptilian characters that look interestingly dinosaur-esque.
Griffins
Perhaps one of the most noteworthy contributions to art purportedly from ancient fossil discovery, the griffin is a mythological creature still found in art today. Some experts hypothesize that the griffin originated from the discovery of the bones of a pentaceratops. 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]] Aligned by each other, the comparison does not seem too difficult. Perhaps the discoverers of these bones saw a beaked creature with four legs and thought it likely that it would have wings as well. Fossils of these creatures found in central Asia and the Gobi Desert were often located near gold deposits, perhaps inspiring the notion that these creatures were guardians of sorts. Across cultures, griffins are regarded as gold-loving creatures, savage and vicious towards intruders. Perhaps this is a testament to the middle-age legend of gold-hoarding dragons.
The evidence seems fairly unmistakeable: Ancient peoples very likely discovered dinosaur remains or fossilized bones of other creatures and created their own interpretation of the majestic creatures and depicted it in art. These artistic motifs survive even to this day, either as artifacts or artistic themes such as the griffin still used today.
NAME???Not too bad, but I think this page could use a little more info...
I added a few things that I came across
Cyclops Myth Spurred by "One-Eyed" Fossils?
Hillary Mayellfor National Geographic NewsFebruary 5, 2003Ever wonder where our worst nightmares come from?
For the ancient Greeks, it may have been the fossils of giant prehistoric animals.
The tusk, several teeth, and some bones of aDeinotherium giganteum, which, loosely translated means really huge terrible beast, have been found on the Greek island Crete. A distant relative to today's elephants, the giant mammal stood 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall at the shoulder, and had tusks that were 4.5 feet (1.3 meters) long. It was one of the largest mammals ever to walk the face of the Earth.http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0205_030205_cyclops.html
Fossils and Ancient Art
While the discovery and assembly of complete prehistoric fossils is a fairly recent phenomenon (circa 19th century), historic and ancient art around the world and across the ages depicts (and in some cases, misinterprets) the existence of dinosaurs and other creaturesChina
Chinese stories and stylized dragon depictions are fairly common. But an unusual beaked dragon statue came up on the antiquities market and is now in the Genesis Park collection. The bronze styling on this artifact suggests it is from the Zhou Dynasty (1122 B.C. – 220 B.C.) or possibly from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). It displays numerous characteristics of the beaked dinosaurs (like the Oviraptor depicted alongside for comparison): tridactyl feet configuration, metatarsal stance, scale-like representation all over the body (except for the horn which has a striated pattern), long (albeit slender) tail, elaborate head crest and a long neck. In 2011 this piece was submitted for X-Ray authentication by Vance Nelson and the artifact was clearly shown to be genuine. A beautifully preserved beaked dinosaur mummy (Edmontosaurus)was discovered in Alberta, Canada in 2013. The specimen sported a fleshy crest atop its head (like a rooster). Researchers theorized that the hat-like ornament was brightly colored to allow for identification. This was the first non-bony crest discovered on a dinosaur. It closely matches the look of the Chinese beaked dragon.Southeast Asia
Deep in the jungles of Cambodia are ornate temples and palaces from the Khmer civilization. One such temple, Ta Prohm, abounds with stone statues and reliefs. Almost every square inch of the gray sandstone is covered with ornate, detailed carvings. These depict familiar animals like monkeys, deer, water buffalo, parrots, and lizards. However, one column contains an intricate carving of a stegosaur-like creature. Western science only began assembling dinosaurs skeletons in the past two centuries, but perhaps other cultures discovered dinosaur bones and fossils, creating their own interpretations of the creature that left the bones behind.South America
Another unexpected place where we find “ancient dinosaur art” is on the ancient Ica Stones that were discovered in Peru. These stones were originally found by the Spanish in 1535, and Spanish explorers sent some of these stones back to Spain in 1562.The art on many of these stones is extremely beautiful, and some of them appear to contain clear depictions of dinosaurs.
Here is another example. If you look closely at this one, you can see what very much looks like a Triceratops.
Below are featured more stone carvings of dinosaur-like creatures, perhaps the most interesting being in the middle. It controversially depicts the (not so peaceful) coexistence of a dinosaurian creature and a human.
This Peruvian tomb cloth depicts red, reptilian characters that look interestingly dinosaur-esque.
Griffins
Perhaps one of the most noteworthy contributions to art purportedly from ancient fossil discovery, the griffin is a mythological creature still found in art today. Some experts hypothesize that the griffin originated from the discovery of the bones of a pentaceratops.[[image:data:image/jpeg;base64,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]]
Aligned by each other, the comparison does not seem too difficult. Perhaps the discoverers of these bones saw a beaked creature with four legs and thought it likely that it would have wings as well. Fossils of these creatures found in central Asia and the Gobi Desert were often located near gold deposits, perhaps inspiring the notion that these creatures were guardians of sorts. Across cultures, griffins are regarded as gold-loving creatures, savage and vicious towards intruders. Perhaps this is a testament to the middle-age legend of gold-hoarding dragons.
The evidence seems fairly unmistakeable: Ancient peoples very likely discovered dinosaur remains or fossilized bones of other creatures and created their own interpretation of the majestic creatures and depicted it in art. These artistic motifs survive even to this day, either as artifacts or artistic themes such as the griffin still used today.